Notes on geography
Locals tend to see this as a string of separate towns, usually called by the name of the nearest S-train station, but there wouldn't be much point in listing each of these separately in a travel guide, as each on it's own has little to offer. Visitors should be aware though, that the suburban nature of this district means that the attractions are far between, and it could take up to an hour in public transportation travelling between Albertslund and Solrød Strand for instance, the names of the "towns" are listed behind the addresses in the listings

Contents

Get in

Two S-train directions run from the centre of Copenhagen through the district

Lines B to Høje Taastrup runs west through Hvidovre, Rødovre, Brøndby, Glostrup, Albertslund and Taastrup every 20 minute from early morning till late night. Line B+ also to Høje Taastrup stops at the stations from Glostrup to Høje Taastrup and runs every 20 minute on weekdays from 6AM-6PM

Line A to Hundige runs southwest through Åmarken, Friheden, Avedøre, Brøndby Strand, Vallensbæk and Ishøj every 20 minute from early morning till late night. Line E to Køge stops at Vallensbæk, Ishøj, Hundige, Greve, Karlslunde and Solrød and also runs every 20 minute from early morning till late night

Approaching the district by train from west or south, you will get off at Høje Taastrup Station and continue by S-train

Get around

The easiest way to get around is by S-train. For destinations between S-train stations or away from the main traffic channels you can take one of the local buses, most of which do not run as frequent as in the central part of the city.

There are taxi stands almost all S-train stations, but it will quite often be that no taxis are available and you will have to call one. Vest-Taxa (+45 43 45 45 45) is usually the fastest in the western suburbs and Taxa Selandia (+45 70 10 66 66) in the far southwestern suburbs. Taxa 4x35 (+45 35 35 35 35) is a good option closest to the central part of the city, but further away some waiting time can be expected.

See

Arken, Museum of Modern art in Ishøj

Old artillery storage on Vestvolden

Arken (Museum of modern art), Skovvej 100, Ishøj (Bus 128 from Ishøj Station to Arken stop), ☎+45 43 54 02 22, [1]. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, except W 10AM-9PM. By far the districts greatest attraction, and because of it's location, rather undiscovered, even though it's one of Copenhagen's top museums. The striking building, located in dunes right next to the sea, was erected by architect Søren Robert Lund in 1996, and resembles a beached ship, the building has actually been criticized for drawing attention away from the art is houses. The temporary exhibitions is actually often the main attraction here, but the permanent collection includes many important mainly Scandinavian modern works. Also has a concert hall, cinema, sculpture courtyard and a restaurant.85 DKK. (55.606123,12.387581)

Greve Museum, Bækgårdsvej 9, Greve (Bus 126 from Solrød Strand or Taastrup stations to Greve Museum stop), ☎+45 43 40 40 36, [2]. Tu-F 11AM-3PM,Su 11AM-5PM. Various exhibitions relating to rural history, and the history of the 200 years old farmhouse the museum in housed in. Also hosts various temporary exhibitions. There is a small café and a shop on the premises, and a lovely garden to enjoy a small picnic.Free. (55.590754,12.252005)

Heerup Museum, Kirkesvinget 1, Rødovre (Bus 15 from Peter Bangs Vej Station to Rødovre Kirke stop), ☎+45 36 37 87 00, [3]. Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. Henry Heerup (1907-1993) was a popular Danish painter, with close ties to the avant garde movement, although his work is often described as timeless, colourful and Childish. He received recognition outside Denmark, and has work exhibited on e.g. MOMA in New York and the Carnegie Institute. The museums collection was large donated by his widow, after his death.35 DKK. (55.682595,12.466812)

Kroppedal, Kroppedals Allé 3, Taastrup (Bus 217 from Høje Taastrup station to Kroppedal stop), ☎+45 43 30 30 00, [4]. Tu-F 10AM-4PM,Sa-Su 2PM-5PM. A good museum, if a but out of the way, but in some beautiful surroundings by a small river valley. The museum has various stationary and changing exhibitions on astronomy, archaeology and modern history. Free. (55.684518,12.311351)

Thorsbro Vandværk (Thorsbro waterworks), Allevej 29, Ishøj (Bus 126 from Solrød Strand or Taastrup stations to Allevej stop), ☎+45 43 57 72 57, [5]. M-F 10AM-2PM, Th also 4PM-6PM. Is an industrial museum, displaying the history of the beatiful classic building, and it's machinery - both are from the turn of the 20th century.Free. (55.622036,12.271423)

Vestvolden[6] Is an old fortification cutting a though the western suburbs for 14,5 kilometres from the sea to the Utterlev mose area on Nørrebro. At the time of construction in the 1890'ties it was one of the largest fortification works in the world, and today it is one of the best preserved, protected through it's entire length. While parts have been restored to it's former glory, the really interesting parts is the untouched part, overgrown part, with old barracks, ammunition depots etc. hidden away behind trees and bushes. The most easiest entry point is taking an S-train to Brøndbyøster station on the B line. Can easily be combined with a visit to Filmbyen, since it's housed on a garrison which was part of the Vestvolden defences.

Filmbyen

Filmbyen (The Movie city)[7] , also known as Avedørelejren, is an old army garrison erected in 1913. When the army moved out of the area in the 1990'ties, it was taken over by the municipality, and the famous Zentropa studios (home of Lars von Trier and much of the Dogme movement) as well as several smaller studios and production companies moved into the historic buildings. Today, apart from being something of a creative powerhouse, the scenic area has been beefed up by some rather funky new architecture mixing in with history, and also houses some cultural attractions listed below. There is also a hostel Belægningen and a restaurant Messen on the premises, which are listed in the appropriate sections below. To get here catch bus 133 from Avedøre station on the S-tog A line, Bus 1A from down town also stops quite close by at the Avedøre skole stop.

Cirkusmuseet (The Circus museum), Hovedporten 6, Hvidovre, ☎+45 36 49 00 30, [8]. Su-Th 11AM-3PM. Photographs, posters, costumes, diaries, artefacts and what not, relating to the history of circus, both national and international, from the last 150 years. The museum is largely made up of the private collections of two famous Danish performers. 25 DKK. (55.631884,12.449741)

Historiens hus (House of local history), Alarmpladsen 3, Hvidovre, ☎+45 36 49 00 30, [9]. Tu-W 1PM-4PM. Is a combination of a local history archive and a temporary exhibition space, in historic surroundings in the old officers mass. Free. (55.63245,12.448935)

Do

Brøndby Stadium, Brøndby Stadion 8 (Bus 500 S from Glostrup station to Brøndbyhallen stop.), ☎+45 43 75 54 79, [10]. Home of top Danish football side Brøndby IF, the stadium is home to one of the most lively home crowds in the national league. If you are fortunate enough to run into a match against the local rivals of FC København (Copenhagen), these are some of the best matches in the league. Games are usually played on Sundays, with a single league match being played Saturday and Monday.from 200 DKK. (55.648962,12.418542)

Damhus Tivoli, Roskildevej 244, Rødovre (Bus 6A from Downtown), ☎+45 36 70 05 98, [11]. Weekends noon-8PM most of the year, everyday during summer. Small amusement park in the district, mainly of interest only if you are in area and have small kids, or a real craving for mini golf. The bordering lake 'Damhussøen, is a lovely place to go for a walk too.No entrance fee, 20 DKK per ride.

Hedeland, Maglehøjgårdsvej 6A, Hedehusene (Bus 116 from Hedenhusende station to various stops (Reerslev skole direction)), ☎+45 46 13 63 18, [13]. Hedeland is a unique and large recreation area, created on the area of an old gravel excavation site. It features a Ski hill[14], Steam railway[15], miniature railway[16], amphitheatre with regular open air performances[17], a golf course[18], riding area[19] and finally a go-kart track [20].(55.630084,12.177401)

Ishøj Dyrepark, Brentevej 40, Ishøj (Bus 400S from Ishøj station to Industridalen), ☎+45 43 53 72 79. While hardly worth travelling for, if you are staying in the area, and crave to escape some of the concrete, this green area with grazing deer, Scottish highland cattle, goats and sheep's makes for a good small excursion. (55.626151,12.333453)

Middelalderlandsbyen (The medieval village), Nybovej 11, Brøndby (Bus 135 or 166 from Brøndby Strand station to Ulsøparken stop.), ☎+45 40 17 87 07, [21]. No set opening hours.. A living history museum opened in 1999. The village consists of seven reconstructed houses as they would have looked in the 13th century surrounding a small village pond. There are several workshops with many activities for the kids.Free. (55.63276,12.408789)

Beaches

There are serveral good beaches along the coast, such as Brøndby, Ishøj & Vallensbæk strand. The whole area is dubbed Køge Bugt Strandpark[23], and covers 7 kilometers of white beaches, sand dunes, meadows and lakes. It's very popular on warm summer days, but there are usually plenty of space if you look around. Facilities include jetty's, toilets and several Kiosks dishing out popular ice creams. During late June to early August there are lifeguards present. Access by any station along the A and E S-train lines between Brøndby-Strand and Greve stations.

Theaters and concert halls

Expect bands mainly to be Danish bands, and theatrical performances in the Danish language, since none of these venues are really geared for tourists.

Forbrændingen, Vognporten 11, Albertslund (Next to Albertslund S-train Station), ☎+45 4362 5043, [24]. Concerts usually starts at 9PM. The main concert venue of this district. Almost 100 concerts each year but not much action during the summer. Stages upcoming Danish bands. Entrance 50 - 150 DKK.

Buy

When city planners turned this area of former villages and farmland into unending suburbia (a transformation they now much regret), they turned to their North American counterparts for inspiration, and erected some huge impersonal shopping centers, complete with the usual, characterless chain stores, which leaves the shopping in Vestegnen a bit to be desired. You can find these shopping centers opposite almost every S-train station in the district. The largest of these malls are the aptly named City2[27], a short walk away from Høje Taastrup station, with 110 stores and a large cinema complex over 100.000 m², and Rødovre Centrum[28] a bit off the main public transport corridors, also with 110 stores.

Café Jenners, Mosede Strandvej 25, Greve (1KM along the beach northeast from Karlslunde S-train Station, or take bus 121 from Hunding S-train Station to Bækmose Stop and walk 100m northeast), ☎+45 4369 9339, [31]. M-W noon-11PM, Th-F noon-midnight, Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-9PM. Café/restaurant close to the coast south of Copenhagen. Nice place for a drink or some café style food. The menu is not impressive and comprises mostly burgers and sandwiches, but everything is well made.Main courses around 100 DKK, beer from 45 DKK, coffee around 25 DKK.

Messen, Alarmpladsen 2, Hvidovre (Part of Filmbyen), ☎+45 70 25 15 22, [35]. Daily 11.30AM-2PM & 5PM-10PM. This restaurant has it's home in the old chapel of the stationed solders at the garrison, solid food on a seasonal menu, and stylish interiors.Mains from 99 DKK, Buffet from 265 DKK.

Damhuskroen, Roskildevej 244, Rødovre, ☎+45 36 70 40 36, [39]. Th 11AM-midnight,F-Sa 11AM-5AM,Su 11AM-5PM. Unless you are looking to score a middle aged bird wearing too much mascara or a similarly aged guy in a jumpsuit, you might want to give this place a miss. Though some younger guests are there for the entertainment they provide, and just let loose. (55.672863,12.473854)

Carls Old Inn, Rødovrevej 260, Rødovre, ☎+45 36 72 62 60, [40]. M-Th 11AM-midnight,F-Sa 11AM-2AM,Su 11AM-10PM. It ain't saying much, but this is one of the better pubs in area. It's best before or after the local ice-hockey team plays their matches, as this is the usual hang-out for their fans. (55.691429,12.462904)

Hovsa Bodega, Seminarievej 1, Brøndby, ☎+45 43 96 45 70. This place' main claim to fame is as the unofficial pre-game bar of the local team, Brøndby IF, a Flatscreen television for watching football games and beers for 28 DKK a glass.

Under Uret, Greve Midt Bycenter 10K, Greve, ☎+45 43 60 04 44, [42]. M-W 10AM-10PM,Th 10AM-midnight,F-Sa 10AM-5PM,Su 11AM-8.30PM. A fairly nice place by suburban standards, it even has a selection with foreign beers and is popular with students from the local high school

Sleep

Glostrup Park Hotel, Hovedvejen 41, Glostrup, ☎+45 43 96 00 38, [43]. Adequate business hotel near one of the main commercial and industrial districts west of Copenhagen. There is an old and a new wing, with the new wing offering substantially better rooms and facilities. Free internet, and breakfast buffet included. Singles 795 on weekends and 1395 during weekdays.. (55.666622,12.410085)

Idrættens Hus Hotel, Brøndby Stadion 20, Brøndby, ☎+45 43 26 26 26, [44]. This hotel is run by, and located on, the premises of the Danish Athletic Association, right by Brøndby Stadium with access to a steambath, Gym and solarium. Singles 775 DKK. (55.647487,12.417227)

Quality Hotel Høje Taastrup, Carl Gustavs Gade 1, Taastrup, ☎+45 43 99 77 66, [45]. Business hotel in the westernmost suburb of Copenhagen. Cleaning is sometimes lagging in the rooms but there is a Internet station in the lobby, a heated swimming pool and gym facilities. Standard twins goes for 645 DKK. (55.647065,12.272218)

Scandic Glostrup, Roskildevej 550, Glostrup, ☎+45 43 43 42 00, [46]. Port of the omnipresent Scandinavian hotel chain, this place is probably best suited as a motel for a stop over, as it's located directly adjacent to the highway. Billiard room, restaurant and a children's playground.(55.668403,12.419263)

Scandic Hvidovre, Kettevej 4, Hvidovre, ☎+45 36 86 04 00, [47]. Far away from public transportation and gets some criticism for it's cleaning standards. On the upside if you manage to get a room in the upper floors of the back building, these seem to be of a better standard, and there are a indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym area as well as a decent restaurant on the premises.Rooms from 1260 DKK, discounts available.. (55.645692,12.459754)

Contact

Get out

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